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25 unusual things to do this Christmas in London

Discover the best places to go at Christmas in London for some festive fun with a quirky twist.
Visit London Editors
Written by Visit London Editors Edited by Coralie Modschiedler 18 March 2025
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Get your quirk on at Christmas in London! There are lots of weird and wonderful activities to book ahead for across the city, from one-of-a-kind London events and seasonally dressed rooftop bars to quirky London places to visit over the holiday season.

Quirky Christmas things to in London

Hogwarts Castle dusted in filmmakers' snow.
Hogwarts in the Snow. TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
  1. Follow in the footsteps of Harry, Ron and Hermione as the Great Hall is decked out for Christmas at Hogwarts in the Snow at The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Nov-Jan TBC 
  2. Hop on a London bus to marvel at the city's hundreds of sparkling lights on a Christmas Lights open-top bus tour. Nov-Jan TBC
  3. Wander London's most picturesque neighbourhoods and discover impressive Christmas decorations, from window displays at London department stores to restaurants including Annabel's Mayfair and The Ivy Garden Chelsea.
  4. Take a trip to the Christmas Ideal Home Show and jazz up your home for the big day! TBC

Fun immersive Christmas experiences in London

  1. Add some quirkiness to your days out over the holidays with festive themed attractions and exciting immersive experiences.
  2. Get competitive with friends or family over the festive period at activity bars in London, from shuffleboard to ping-pong and urban golf. See Junkyard Golf Club transformed into a Christmas Crazy Golf Playground – decked out with mashed-up courses and themed cocktails.

Find even more activities this Christmas.

Unusual Christmas shows

Cast of stick man dressed in Christmas outfits with props, including Santa Claus figure.
See a show packed with humour this Christmas with Stick Man at the Bloomsbury Theatre. Image courtesy of Mark Senior PR.
  1. Book in for a spectacular Christmas show or pantomime.
  2. Enjoy a festive classic such as The Nutcracker and prepare to be amazed. TBC
  3. See the new carol in town at a Christmas Carol (Ish). Featuring Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed, this is bound to be a Christmas hit. TBC
  4. Enjoy a family day out with a performance of the joyous Stick Man. TBC
  5. Experience a laugh-out-loud adventure at the Potted PantoTBC

Check back closer to the time for festive shows in 2025, in the meantime discover more of London's top theatre.

Cool London Christmas events

A woman holds hands with two little boys as they walk under a canopy of twinkling lights at Christmas at Kew
Treat the whole family to an unforgettable trip to Christmas at Kew this winter. Credit: RBG Kew. Image courtesy of RBG Kew.
  1. Get 'gramming at Christmas at Kew – wander through the Tunnel of Light, explore the Fire Garden and be dazzled with the Palm House finale. Nov-Jan TBC
  2. Explore a maze of incredible ice sculptures and listen to live music in the Bavarian Bar at London's Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Nov-Jan TBC
  3. Watch the brave members of the Serpentine Swimming Club battle it out in chilly conditions during the Peter Pan Cup swim on Christmas Day. 25 Dec
  4. See the mesmerising light festivals across the capital – check back nearer the time for more confirmed events.

Check back nearer the time for more festive experiences, or discover more events in London.

Festive London food and drink 

An aerial view of festive food laid out on a table, including a marshmallow being dipped in chocolate fondue, hazelnuts, cookies, mince pies and dried orange slices.
Festive food as part of Deck the Halls at Pergola Paddington. Image courtesy of Bacchus Agency.
  1. Feast on creative festive afternoon teas at fun restaurants and luxury hotels across the capital or even aboard an afternoon tea tour bus to do a spot of sightseeing as you indulge!  
  2. Try your hand at creating some delicious chocolate treats at a Luxury Chocolate Making Workshop* and enjoy a glass of bubbly on arrival.
  3. Test your culinary skills at a Cookery Class with Portobello Market Tour* in London's Notting Hill. 
  4. Learn how to make bespoke cocktails at a Mixologist Experience at Harvey Nichols* at their trendy Knightsbridge bar. 
  5. Head to one of London's best food markets for the festive season where you'll find everything from mulled wine to mince pies, many with an international twist. 
  6. Relax with warming cocktails, food and activities at winter-themed rooftop bars and seasonal pop-ups – the perfect places to celebrate with friends and family.
  7. Experience festive dining at one of London’s top igloo restaurants – with Coppa Club, Vinegar Yard and Skylight Tobacco Dock offering igloo dining experiences in picturesque settings. 

See more fantastic inspiration for foodies around London. 

Unique Christmas film screenings in London

People seated in rows watching The Muppets Christmas Carol on a cinema screen, surrounded by foliage dusted in snow, and with snow on the ground.
Cinema in the Snow. Image courtesy of Strike Media.
  1. Treat yourself to a Cocktail Cinema Evening at The Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch, where you can watch a cult classic before sipping on a themed cocktail.
  2. Head to either Kensington Palace or Battersea Arts Club for Luna Cinema screenings of Elf, Love Actually and more. TBC
  3. Enjoy an array of festive films at Kensington's Cadogan Hall. Bathed in candlelight, enjoy your favourite movies like never before. TBC

Check back nearer the time for confirmed screenings in 2025, or find more film experiences in London.

Find more things to do in London at Christmas, including London Christmas activities such as must-see shows and pantomimes, fun festive toursfamily experiences and discover what's happening during Twixmas in London

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